NCSoft Scraps Horizon MMORPG "Project H"
NCSoft's plans for a Horizon MMORPG, codenamed "H," have been canceled, according to a January 13, 2025 report by South Korean news outlet MTN. This follows a company-wide "feasibility review" resulting in the termination of several projects. The report also indicates that key developers assigned to "Project H" have left NCSoft, with remaining team members reassigned to other projects. The cancellation is further substantiated by the removal of "Project H" (and another project, codenamed "J") from NCSoft's organizational chart. No official statement has been released by NCSoft or Sony. The future of "Project H" remains uncertain, with no confirmation of another developer picking up the project.
Guerrilla Games' Separate Horizon Online Project Remains Active
Meanwhile, Guerrilla Games continues development on its own separate Horizon online project, first announced in December 2022. Job postings, including one for a Senior Combat Designer in November 2023, and a recent listing for a Senior Platform Engineer, suggest a large-scale multiplayer experience is in the works, potentially targeting over one million players. The recent Senior Platform Engineer posting highlights the need for experience with globally distributed systems, hinting at a significant online infrastructure.
Sony and NCSoft's Strategic Partnership
The cancellation of "Project H" comes against the backdrop of Sony Interactive Entertainment's (SIE) newly announced strategic partnership with NCSoft (November 28, 2023). While a Horizon MMORPG from NCSoft is no longer happening, this collaboration may open doors for other Sony titles to reach wider audiences, potentially through mobile platforms.
